Why Jorge Soler Was Simply Too Valuable to Casually Consider Trading This Offseason

soler batting mbdWhen Jason Heyward officially became a member of the Cubs on Dec. 15, 2015, it gave the team a projected outfield with Kyle Schwarber and Jorge Soler flanking him in left and right, respectively.

Of course, that could have changed had the Cubs found a taker for Soler in a trade with a return that included a cost-controlled, front-line starter. A move like that would have also opened the door for the team to find a defensive stalwart in center, which would shift Heyward back to right field, where he won a pair of Gold Gloves, including one in 2014.

But with the Cubs’ first team workout scheduled for Feb. 24, Soler is still on the team’s roster and remains projected to be its Opening Day right fielder. By now it’s clear a deal of the Cubs’ liking never materialized.

[adinserter block=”1″]One of the likely reasons is because consummating a trade with significant moving pieces headlined by a player like Soler isn’t as easy as one would imagine. We frequently spoke this offseason about the climbing value of controllable starting pitching, and how hard it would be to put together a deal for it. But what about how hard it would be to put together a deal for a player like Soler?

In July 2015, Fangraphs shared its annual list of 50 most valuable trade chips. Listed at No. 50 was Soler, who FanGraphs notes is under team control through 2020 at a minimum guarantee of $18 million and a projected five-year WAR of +12.6. Here is a snippet about Soler from Dave Cameron’s trade value primer:

“Soler remains one of the most intriguing young power hitters in the game, and a few hundred poor at-bats doesn’t wipe away the tools and the minor league performance. He’s still just 23, and while his contact problems might keep him from ever becoming an elite player, he looks like a quality above average regular for the foreseeable future. And he possesses the skillset that teams will overpay to acquire, as young middle-of-the-order hitters are just not really available on the market anymore.”

It’s notable that two players who were in July 2015’s top 50 – Todd Frazier (46) and Andrelton Simmons (30) – were traded this offseason.

The Frazier deal involved three teams moving a combined total of five organizational top-30 prospects. Infielder Jose Peraza and outfielder Scott Schebler became the Reds’ first and 13th best prospects, while right-handed pitcher Frankie Montas, second baseman Micah Johnson and outfielder Trayce Thompson became the Dodgers’ fourth, eighth and 13th best prospects. The Simmons deal netted the Braves two top-10 organizational prospects in left-handed pitcher Sean Newcomb (first) and right-hander Chris Ellis (ninth).

It became obvious early in the offseason that moving a trade chip of Soler’s caliber was going to cost the team acquiring him pretty penny. And frankly, there are not too many teams willing to make that kind of a deal. Indeed, few have that kind of currency to give up in the first place.

[adinserter block=”2″]In any case, it is rare when those types of players get dealt. Looking at the players ranked 25-50 since 2013, only Simmons, Frazier, Carlos Gomez (ranked 33rd in 2014), Allen Craig (40th, 2013), Wil Myers (38th, 2013), Heyward (43rd, 2013), Austin Jackson (50th, 2013) have been dealt. All things considered, it’s fitting that each of these pieces helped bring back some sort of pitching commodity upon their departure.

Myers had already helped the Royals land James Shields and Wade Davis prior to this particular ranking. Heyward was the main piece that sent Shelby Miller and pitching prospect Tyrell Jenkins from the Cardinals to the Braves. Craig went to Boston as part of a deal that netted the Cardinals John Lackey (notably, when he was set to cost the Major League minimum the next year). Austin Jackson was a piece the Tigers dealt (along with prospects and some help from the Mariners) for David Price. Even Carlos Gomez helped the Brewers get two of the Astros’ better pitching prospects in Adrian Houser (Astros 21st, MLB.com) and Josh Hader (Astros 14th, MLB.com).

We knew the price of pitching would be high going into the offseason and the contracts received by Zack Greinke, David Price and others blew those expectations out of the waters. But what we might have overlooked in the process was the value of the cost-controlled hitters that were supposed to be used to acquire pitching in the trade market.

Soler was, and remains, an incredibly valuable asset. Acquiring him was always going to be a tall task.

And now, instead, Cubs fans simply get to look ahead to his possible breakout in 2016.

written by

Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

more cubs news

The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

I Dug Deep on the Cubs 2024 Schedule (And I Like What I See)

Finally, with Cody Bellinger in the fold, we can start focusing more seriously on the season ahead. So today, I thought we'd take a look at the Cubs 2024 schedule. You can flip through the Cubs 2024 schedule right here...

Here’s What I’m Betting on the Cubs for Opening Day

I get it. Sports betting isn't for everyone — like, say, the interpreter for an international baseball superstar — but some of us quite enjoy it! If you are one of those people, this article is for you. Below, I'm...

WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

Wrigley Field is Gonna Be Lit This Year (As in New Colored Lights!)

Last year, the Cubs started using their new LED outfield lights to do a little dancing display during 'Go Cubs Go,' lighting along with the song and throwing in a W. It was very fun and I liked it. This...

Latest News

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Arizona Diamondbacks open their season as -231 favorites in a home matchup with the Colorado Rockies on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on ARID.Arizona's Zac Gallen and Colorado's Kyle Freeland have been named the starters for this contest.Diamondbacks...

Mariners vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Seattle Mariners begin their season as -162 favorites in a home tilt against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on NESN.Luis Castillo starts for Seattle while Brayan Bello is Boston's starter for the contest.Mariners...

Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Cleveland Guardians start their season as road favorites (-156) in a matchup with the Oakland Athletics on Thursday at 10:07 PM ET, live on NBCS-CA from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.Shane Bieber gets the starting nod for Cleveland while Alex Wood...

Damian Lillard Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, Damian Lillard must make four from downtown on Thursday, when his Milwaukee Bucks face the New Orleans Pelicans, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET.Damian Lillard's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansDamian Lillard's over/under for three-pointers...

Brook Lopez Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, Brook Lopez needs to make two from downtown on Thursday, when his Milwaukee Bucks meet the New Orleans Pelicans, starting at 8:00 PM ET.Brook Lopez's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansBrook Lopez's over/under for three-pointers...

Giannis Antetokounmpo Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

Will Giannis Antetokounmpo make just a single 3-pointer when the Milwaukee Bucks play the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his over/under for the game.Giannis Antetokounmpo's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansGiannis Antetokounmpo's...

CJ McCollum Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, CJ McCollum must make four from downtown on Thursday, when his New Orleans Pelicans play the Milwaukee Bucks, beginning at 8:00 PM ET.CJ McCollum's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the BucksCJ McCollum's over/under for three-pointers in...

Devils vs. Sabres Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Friday, March 29, 2024

The bookmakers are expecting a close game between the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres when they clash on Friday at 7:00 PM ET, with the Devils at -115 on the moneyline, and the Sabres at -105.Devils vs. Sabres Favorite,...

Guardians vs. Athletics Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Cleveland Guardians (0-0) and the Oakland Athletics (0-0) match up on Thursday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum for Opening Day. First pitch is at 10:07 PM ET.The Guardians will give the nod to Shane Bieber versus the Athletics and Alex...

Mariners vs. Red Sox Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Boston Red Sox (0-0) visit the Seattle Mariners (0-0) in an Opening Day game at 10:10 PM ET on Thursday.The Mariners will give the nod to Luis Castillo against the Red Sox and Brayan Bello.Mariners vs. Red Sox Pitcher...

more cubs news